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iPhone Text Effects: Tips and Tricks
March 18, 2025
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As anyone who’s lived in Idaho for any period of time knows, it’s often mistaken for Iowa (since they’re both “I” states). But while the southern part of the state definitely has its share of gently rolling fields like its Midwestern counterpart, Idaho is also home to a number of mountain ranges—115 to be exact.
The mountainous, rural nature of much of Central and Northern Idaho skews the statewide coverage percentages lower than those in more densely-packed, flat states. However, if you know which carrier serves your particular area of the state the best, you can avoid a lot of coverage headaches.
In this article, we’ll break down the statewide coverage stats of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, and show you how to use our coverage maps to identify the best carrier for your particular area of Idaho.
Table of contents
What We Like
- AT&T delivers the most 4G LTE coverage (47%) in Idaho; Verizon makes a strong 4G showing (44%) as well
- T-Mobile is the 5G coverage king in Idaho, covering 32% of the state with its network
What We Don't Like
- Cell phone coverage—particularly of the 5G variety—can be spotty in the many rural areas of Idaho, particularly in the Sawtooths
- Verizon’s 5G network is still in its relative infancy in the state, offering just 6% coverage across Idaho (but it’s growing)
Verizon serves up the second-most 4G coverage, and the third-most 5G coverage, in Idaho.
Verizon 4G Coverage in Idaho
Verizon’s 4G LTE network spreads across 44% of Idaho, second only to AT&T in the state. Going with Verizon is a generally wise move if you live in Idaho—but we recommend checking our map above to verify coverage in your specific area of the state.
Verizon 5G Coverage in Idaho
Verizon’s statewide 5G network is far more limited than its 4G network, spreading to just 6% of Idaho. That’s less than both AT&T (14% ) and T-Mobile (32%). Keep in mind, however, that Verizon is working to actively expand its 5G footprint in Idaho, so this percentage is sure to increase in the coming weeks and months.
AT&T is one of the best carriers you can go with in Idaho, delivering the most 4G coverage, and the second-most 5G coverage, in the state.
AT&T 4G Coverage in Idaho
AT&T’s 4G network covers 47% of Idaho’s 85,557 square miles, which is a truly impressive stat when you consider how much of the state is rural and untamed. Use the map above to verify coverage in your specific area.
AT&T 5G Coverage in Idaho
AT&T wields the second-most powerful 5G network in Idaho, covering 14% of the state. Much of this 5G coverage is made up of the carrier’s so-called 5G+ spectrum, which delivers super-fast speeds, low latency times, and enhanced reliability.
T-Mobile delivers the best 5G coverage, and third-most 4G coverage, in Idaho.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in Idaho
T-Mobile’s 4G network spans 37% of Idaho, which is less than both Verizon and AT&T. That said, your town may very well be covered by T-Mobile—use the map above to find out.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage in Idaho
T-Mobile wields the best 5G network in Idaho, covering 32% of the state. A portion of this 5G coverage is made up of the carrier’s 5G Ultra Capacity network, which delivers incredibly fast speeds for latency-free browsing, streaming, and gaming.
While we’ve outlined cell phone coverage from the three major U.S. cell phone carriers, it’s important to know that you aren’t limited to these companies if you need cell phone service in Idaho. A variety of smaller carriers, or MVNOs, also operate in the state, allowing you to sign up for equivalent plans, with similar coverage, for less than you’d otherwise pay.
All of these carriers lease from the aforementioned major carrier networks to provide coverage to their customers. If you’re signed up with Spectrum Mobile, for example, you’ll have access to Verizon coverage, since the carrier runs on that network. Here are some popular MVNOs, and the networks they operate on:
Boost Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile
Networks they use
Metro by T-Mobile
Networks they use
Optimum Mobile
Spectrum Mobile
Cox Mobile
Straight Talk
Networks they use
Cricket
Networks they use
Visible
Networks they use
Google Fi
Networks they use
Xfinity Mobile
Mint Mobile
Things to Know about Cell Phone Coverage
Cell Phone Coverage Speeds
When it comes to cell phone coverage, you don’t just need a cellular signal—you need that signal to provide adequate speed. That’s why it’s important to distinguish between 4G and 5G coverage in your area. In general, 5G provides faster speeds and greater reliability than 4G. However, that’s not always the case, as there may be instances when the speeds of these respective coverage types are actually quite similar.
How to Get the Best Cell Phone Coverage
There’s more to getting the best coverage than just signing up with the carrier that offers reliable service in the places you spend time. These include:
- Your phone: The newer and more cutting edge your device, the more likely you’ll be able to tap into the fastest speeds. Some older phones don’t have the built-in technology to connect to the fastest 5G bands, resulting in slower service. The newest 5G devices, like the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 series don’t have this problem.
- Your software: It’s important to make sure your software is up to date, as an out-of-date operating system can translate to an inability to connect to the fastest network speeds.
- Your cell phone plan: Depending on the mobile plan you have, your data may experience deprioritization during times of network congestion. If this is consistently happening to you, it may be worth investigating whether you can sign up for a plan that includes more premium (i.e. un-deprioritized) data.
- Your location: Certain types of coverage, like high-band 5G, has difficulty penetrating solid materials, like concrete walls. As simple as it may sound, moving to an unobstructed location may help you connect to these fast networks more reliably.
Our methodology
We sourced our cell phone coverage metrics from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which collects data voluntarily submitted by the four major national carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular). Read More
The FCC incorporates standardized propagation model assumptions into its data, and notes that a user’s actual experience may vary based on end-use factors like network congestion and terrain. Read Less
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cell phone provider in Idaho?
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AT&T offers the best 4G coverage in Idaho, while T-Mobile delivers the most 5G coverage in the state. Going with either of these carriers is a wise move if you live in Idaho.
How do I find the best cell coverage in my area of Idaho?
To determine the best cell phone service in your area of Idaho, we recommend taking a look at our 4G and 5G coverage maps and zooming in to inspect your local area.
Does AT&T work in Idaho?
AT&T not only works in Idaho, but offers the best 4G LTE coverage in the state.
Learn More Network Coverage Maps
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